“I strongly support the work of the Theology of the Body Institute, and I am pleased to recommend their excellent programs to my brother bishops & priests.”

-Archbisop Charles J. Chaput

Why enter the Clergy Enrichment Program?

In the Person of Christ: Clergy Enrichment Program is for Catholic priests who want to integrate Pope Saint John Paul II’s life-changing Theology of the Body more deeply into their priesthood.

SPECIAL NOTE: The Theology of the Body Institute would like to welcome any priest who has had previous experience in TOB to join their brother priests in attending our In the Person of Christ TOB priest retreats in the coming year.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

In the Person of Christ incorporates four weeklong seminars, each devoted to one theme: Priestly Identity, Priestly Prayer, and Priestly Mission, all grounded in the foundational course: Theology of the Body I: Head & Heart Immersion.

Theology of the Body expert-led seminars cover topics such as: discernment, spiritual warfare, Marian theology, and contemplative prayer. Participants discuss the Theology of the Body triptych of human origin, history, and destiny applied to the priesthood. They also explore Theology of the Body as lived in the priesthood through sacraments, liturgy, homilies, vocations, and parish life.

Weeklong retreat seminars are held in Philadelphia, PA, and offer daily Mass and confession, adoration, liturgy of the hours, spiritual direction, as well as fellowship with brother priests.

Mini-seminars are held at various locations throughout the United States. Mini-seminars give priests the ease of shorter travel to briefly encounter program themes in three days. The themes rotate annually to provide priests with fresh insights.

*Contact Theology of the Body Institute if your diocese would like to host a mini-seminar.

Webinars offer education and enrichment to priests unable to travel. Webinars encourage priests to further study through participation in weeklong retreat seminars.

Resources are contributed by priests, theologians, members of the Theology of the Body Institute Episcopal Advisory Board, and/or subject matter experts. Resources provide a wide variety of educational and evangelization materials. To receive clergy resources, sign up for the monthly newsletter on the website.

Theology of the Body I: Head & Heart Immersion Course examines the main themes of Pope Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. It is also offered through the Theology of the Body Institute Certification Program. This course sets the foundation in applying Theology of the Body to the priesthood, and is a prerequisite for participation in the weeklong retreat seminar.

Theology of the Body & Priestly Identity follows the Theology of the Body triptych of human origin, history, and destiny to discover direct applications of this teaching to the priesthood. Participants will contemplate and discuss: The Origins of the Fatherhood of God and Man, The History of the Fatherhood of God and Man, and the Destiny of the Fatherhood of Man. They will also dive into topics such as: Living as a Son, Spouse, and Father, Spiritual Fatherhood, Priestly Fraternity, Living in the Person of Christ as Icon of the Bridegroom, Celibacy and Living as a Man of Communion.

Theology of the Body & Priestly Prayer examines how Theology of the Body relates to the priestly life of prayer. Topics include: Interior Life, Discernment, Spiritual Warfare, Marian Theology, Liturgical Prayer and Contemplative Prayer. Priests will have the opportunity, through study, quiet reflection, and personal and communal prayer, to engage more fully and deeply in different aspects of their prayer life.

Theology of the Body & Priestly Mission examines how Theology of the Body assists priests in living out their priesthood. Topics include: Theology of the Body & the Sacraments, Liturgy, Homilies, Vocations, and Theology of the Body in parish life. Priests will also explore how the Liturgy is richly connected with Theology of the Body, enabling them to enter into and lead their congregations in the greatest mystery of the Catholic Faith.